Compressor



F. D. HOLDSWOHTH.

COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZQ, I916- RENEWED OCT. 5,1921.

1,461,603. I Patented Dec. 27, 1921.

UNITED ,srAr-Es PATENT- OFFICE.

FRED D. HOLDSWOBTH; OF OLABEMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO sU'LLIvAiq' .MACEINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

comraassoa.

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F RED D. Hornswon'rn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and produce an improved arrangement of compressors and driving means therefor whereby the maximum torque requirements are ren-' dered so low and uniform that the compressors may be driven with the minimum of 'wearand tear on the driving and drivenelements and the minimum of vibration, at

the same time that a very inexpensive, delicately controlled and compact installation is made possible. Thes and other ob ects of my invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, I have for purposes of illustration shown one embody ment which my invention may assume 1n practice. i v g In these drawings,--

Figure 1 isa plan view of a plurality of compressors driven in accordance wlth thls embodiment of my invention.

' positionsof the several Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the installation shown in Fig. 1, the'cylinders of the adjacent compressor being broken away to show the positions of the pistons.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showingthe relative pistons in their several cylinders.

Fig. 4 is a series of diagrams showing graphically, respectively, the crank effort for a single compressordue to thehigh and low pressure compressor units separately, the

' crank eifort due to the combined effects of the high and low pressure units of a single compressor, and the combined effects of twin compound compressors with one arrangement of cranks fallin within my invention.

In these drawings have illustrated a plu-v rality of angle compound'compressors 1 and 2, one bein a right-hand while the other is a left-ban machine, and the two machines being disposed'side by side.

As in a, well known construction, each of these compressors is provided with a der 4, these cylinders.

also provide outlet 11. It will also be noted that the I Specification of Letters Patent. Patent d D 27 1921. Application and May 29, 1915, Serial no. 100,038. Renewed 0mm 5, 1921.

Serial No. 605,611.

vertical cylinder 3 and a horizontal cylinhavin pistons 5 and 6, respectively. As usual, t e cylinders of each machine are also connected through suitable pipe connections-7 and 8 with an intercooler 9 each machine of course being d with a suitable inlet 10 and an pistons 5 and 60f each compressor are also connected in the usual manner through suitable connecting rods 12 to a single crank pin 13 carried on a horizontal shaft 14.

In my improved construction, the crank pin 13 of one compressor, as, for instance,

the compressor 1, the corresponding crank pin of the compressor 2, in such a manner that when the two compressors are simultaneously turned over through a complete cycle of operation, as when driven by any suitable source of power, the compressors are themselves operated in out off phase, herein split phase,

relation and as a result, instead of doubling the maximum and minimum instantaneous crank efiort values and so doubling the range between the maximum and minimum values 'for a single compressor, there is a considerable smoothing out of the combined crank efl'ort curve and a resultant large increase in smoothness of operation, and a decrease in torque variation not only over what would occurwere the crank pins connected in axial alinement, but even over the results of a single compound compressor. It will be understood that I have shown herein the graph resulting from a 45 offsetting of the cranks, but that other anglesof oifset, may be employed within the scope 0f my invention.. With respect to the ofi'setting of the crank pin of one compressor 45 with respect to'the other, it should be understood that the angle of ofi'set may be varied if desired, to accord with the particular compressors used.

For instance, in using certain compressors having different stage pressure ranges, weights of reciprocating masses, etc., it is found desirable to offset the cranks by as much as 180, it being understood that in the use of my invention such an angle is is offset with respect to chosen as to give the desired smoothness of operation in each particular case, my invention in no wise being limited to any particu-.

lar angle of ofiset and the angle of 45 being shown only for purposes of illustration.

The compressors l and 2 may obviously be connected by various means so that the same may be operated in out of step relation to produce my improved results. ln a preferred form, however, a single shafting 1s connected between the compressors. As shown herein, this shafting is also sectional, the compressor shafts 14 being relatively short and connected by couplings 15 of well known form, with an intermediate shaft 16, preferably co-axially disposed. This shafting may also be driven by any suitable means, although it will be evident that when the parts are operatively connected as described the compressors will operate as desired irrespective of the element directly receiving the motive force. In a preferred form, however, the shaft 16 forms the arm a ture shaft of a motor 17 and is mounted in bearings 18 located on opposite sides of the motor.

\Vhile the compressors may be driven by motors of different types, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated herein, I have shown the same as driven by a synchronous motor which is itself excited by a small direct current generator 19 connected through a belt 20 with a pulley 21 preferably encircling one of the couplings l5 and con nected thereto. It will also be noted that the bearings 18 for the armature shaft are spaced apart by such a distance that, when desired, the field magnets 22 of the motor may be adjusted longitudinally of the shaft to permit access to be had to the armature, the motor field structure for-this purpose being mounted on suitable slides 23, well known in the motor art.

Attention is also directed to the fact that, while unloading mechanism of different forms may be used if desired, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated herein I have shown each compressor provided With a separate unloader valve 24, which may be of any well known type. By my improved construction and the use of these valves, I am enabled to load or unload one compressor at a different time from the other, as, for instance, by setting one valve to operate at a different pressure from the other, and am thereby able to obtain greater flexibility of control. For instance, in practice I have found that if one unloader valve is set to unload at a pressure of 95 pounds, the other pin effort of the low and of the high pressure compression units of a single compound compressor and wherein the ordinates of the points making up the curves represent in pounds the instantaneous values of the tangential force necessary to rotate the crank vas a result of the effect of the compression unit under investigation, While from the abscissa: the momentary crank positions may be observed. The lower solid curve in Fig. 4: is the crank efiort diagram of a single complete compound compressor and the upper solid line that of a twin compoundcompressor with crank pins offset at 45. From'the two solid lines it will be observed that the fluctuation in efl'ort between the maximum and minimum is less for the twin angle compound compressor than for a single angle compound compressor, and also that the total variation from the mean crank pin effort, which is indicated by the top and middle horizontal lines, is reduced, this being evident from a comparison of the sectioned 211F835 at the top and at the middle of in the use of my improved construction, it has been found that the difference between the minimum and maximum torque requirement is appreciably less than that resulting from the use of a single angle compound compressor, and that the peaks of maximum torque requirement are equally distributed in such a manner as to produce a relatively smooth crank effort wave and thereby insure long motor and compressor life. It has also been found'that by the use of my improved construction it is possible to eliminate entirely the necessity for a heavyflywheel, which has heretofore been necessary to absorb the variations in turning effort, thereby reducing the initial cost of the equipment, and removing the subsequent diiit culties with friction losses andwear of bearings ordinarily resulting from the use of such a fly-Wheel. It is of course also obvious that through the use of my improved construction wherein the two complete compressors are driven by a single motor, one of the compressors may be disconnected from the motor whenever desired through a simple dlsconnection of its coupling. Attention s also directed to the fact that through my improved arrangement, an installation of large capacity may be provided in an exceedingly small floor space, and that, through the use of a single shaft construction, the necessity for all expensive and power consuming gearing is eliminated.

The placing of the low and high pressure cylinders as shown in Fig. 3 gives a certain economy in cost of installation and floorspace. The intake pipe 10, which is the lar estof the pipes shown, isvery short anf may pass directly through the flooring to an air intake assage, if that construction is desirable. he pipe 11, which is the smaller conductor, isattached to the high pressure cylinder and connects with the d1s.- tributing system. The longer pipe is, therefore, the smaller pipe and so will require fewer and lighter supports and less floor space. By placing the low compressor cylinder horizontal and the high pressure cylinder vertical and the intercooler between the two, certain marked advantages are obtained in the separation of the oil and water from the gas inthe intercooler. As is evident from Fig. 2 the general direction of the flow of the gas is opposite to the direction in which gravity acts. The result is that th liquids condensing in the intercooler tend to fall to the bottom and run into a suitable.

sump. If the position of the cylinders were reversed the flow of gas would be in eneral downward and would carry the oil an water which. condense in the intercooler to the supply lines.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it is to be understood that this form of the same is used for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified.v and embodied in 'other forms without departing from .its

spirit, it'being my intention to include all such forms within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1-. In combination, a pair of compound compressors each comprising angularly disposed high and low pressure cylinders,

double acting pistons in said cylinders, and.

' crank operatively connected to the high and low pressure pistons, and means for drivingsaid compressors simultaneously from a common source of power including means for connecting said crank shafts in axial alinement but with the cranks thereon an gularly disposed relative to each other.

3. In combination, a plurality of com pound compressors each comprising .a double acting high and a double acting low pressure cylinder, said cylinders having reciproeating pistons therein, actuating means for the pistons in the cylinders of each of said compressors for causing them to traverse their working cycles in a stepped relation to each other, and means for driving said compressors simultaneously from a common source of power} including means for connecting the piston actuating means of the several compressors whereby the pistons in .homologous cylinders of said several compressors are at all times either at different points in their paths or reversely moving.

4 In combination, a plurality of double, acting angle compressors, and means for,

driving them in split phase relation.

, 5. In combinatlon, a plurality of double acting angle compound compressors, and

means for successively producing periodic alternate impulses therefrom.

6. In combination, a plurality of independent double acting angle compressors, and

means for successively producing periodicalternate impulses therefrom.

7 In combination, a plurality ofinde'pen dent double acting angle compound compressors, and means for successively producmg periodic alternate impulses therefrom.

and means for driving said'units in out of phase relat1on.

pressor units,- each having a plurality of double acting pistons, moving in angularly 8. In combination, a plurality of com-. pressor units, each having a plurality of p1stons moving inangularly disposed paths "r00 9. In combination, a plurality-of com disposed paths, and means for driving said units in split phase relation.

10. In combination, a plurality of double acting angle compressor units having relatively .olfset crank pins, and means between the same for rotating said crank pins in unlson. 1

11. In combination, a plurality of acting angle compressors comprising horizontal low pressure cylinders and vertical high pressure cyllnders, and means for pro- ;Elucing per1od1c alternate impulses thererom.

1.2. In combination, a plurality of angle compressors, and means for selectively driving a single compressor or said compressors.

together in split phase relation.

13. In combination, a plurality of double acting angle compressors, and means for selectively driving a single compressor or said compressors together in split phase relation.

14:. In combination, a plurality of angle compressor units, means for 1 driving the same in" split phase relation, and unloading means for said compressor units. ,7

15. In combination, a plurality of angle compressor units, means for selectively ,driving the same singly or together in split phase relation, and unloading means for each of said compressors.

16. In combination, a plurality of compressors disposed in out of phase relation, and drivin means operatively connected thereto incliiding adetachable shaft coupling.

17. In combination, a plurality of compressors having relatively off-set crank pins,

and rank pin driving means therefor in-v cluding a detachable coupling between one of said pins and the source of power.

18. In combination, a plurality of independent angle compressor units, a motor, driving; means between said elements, and unloading means for said units.

19. In combination, a plurality of independent angle compressor units, a motor, drivin means between said elements, and unloar ing means for said compressor units automatically operable at different pressures. v

20. In combination, a plurality of independent anglc com-pound compressor units, a motor, driving means between said elements, and independently operable unloading means for each of said units.

21. In combination, a plurality of double acting angle compressors, a motor, drivin means between said elements, and indepep entlv operable stepped unloading means for said compressors.

pendent double acting ang e compressors disposed in out of phase relation, operative connections between the same, and means for driving'said operative connections.

26. In combination, a plurality of an l e compound compressors dispose in s it phase relation and having means forming a single shaft, and means for rotating sa1 shaft.

27. In combination, a plurality of angle compound compressors disposed in split phase relation, means forming a single shaft 1,401.,eoe

connected between the same, and a motor connected to said shaft.

28. In combination, a plurality of angle compressors disposed in out of phase relation, means forming a single shaft connected between the same, and a motor for driving said shaft having its armature disposed around the same.

29. In combination, a plurality of angle compound compressors disposed .in out of phase relation, means forming a single shaft connected between the same, a motor for driving said shaft having its armature disposed around the same, and shaft bearings for said motor disposed between the motor and said compressors.

30. In. combination, a plurality of angle compound compressors disposed in out of phase relation and each having a shaft, a motor disposed between the same and having an armature shaft, and connections between said armature shaft and said compressor shafts.

31. In combination, a plurality of angle compound compressors disposed in out of phase relation and each having a shaft, a driving motor therefor disposed betweenthe same and having its armature shaft disposed cc-axially with said shafts, and means for connecting the opposite ends of said armature shaft to said compressor shafts.

32. In combination, a lurality of angle compound compressors isposed in out of phase relation in such a manner that the successive impulses of each compressor alternate with the successive impulses of the other, operative connections between the same, means for driving said compressors, and an unloading means for each of said compressors.

In combination, a plurality of independent angle compound compressors disposed in out of phase relation in such a manner that the successive impulses of each compressor alternate with the successive impulses of the other, operativ connections between the same, means for driving said compressors, and means whereby one of said compressors may be disconnected from said driving means.

34. In combination, a lurality'of angle compound compressors isposed in out of phase relation, shafting 4 connecting said compressors, a synchronous motor for rotating said shaftingl, bearings for said shafting on opposite'si es of said motor, means for adjusting said motor between said bearings, an exciter for said motor, and a driving connection between the same and said shaftmg.

In testimon whereof I aii'ix my signature.

F ED D. HOLDSWURTI-I. 

